Dagbøker og memoarer

Inspired by her phenomenally popular Substack newsletter, Home is full India Knight's inimitable wisdom, observations and reassuring advice, as she takes us room-by-room through the beauty, the mess, and the joy of life.Why are we obsessed with our homes? Why do we immediately sigh with contentment when we open our front doors - and why is that so central to our wellbeing?As readers of India Knight's popular substack know, home really, really matters. It is your castle. And, room by room, Home is your guide to a home you delight in.Whether it's owned or rented, big or tiny, rural or urban, bachelor pad or rammed with children, Home is a testament to real homes, to everyday dinners, to the kitchen junk drawer, to turning off the big light, and to the power of a good night's sleep.

Uncaged: A Good Girl's Journey to Reinvention is a story about the choices we make, the cages we build for ourselves, and how we can break free. From the quiet suburbs of Switzerland to the warm, familial settings of Greece and beyond, Uncaged takes readers inside a deeply personal journey from toxicity and heartbreak to self-discovery and transformation. Raised in a traditional Greek family, Katia enters the world with deeply ingrained beliefs about what it means to be a "good girl," forced to put others' needs and desires above her own, while checking all the boxes of societal approval--academic excellence, a promising career, a picture-perfect marriage. Yet, despite her many accomplishments, even strong-willed Katia struggles to fully love and accept herself, and progressively loses touch with her true essence, which deep down is playful, adventurous, and free-spirited. As a result of the false labels ("selfish") and other painful childhood baggage she carries, Katia often expresses the outrage of an adolescent who wasn't permitted to feel her anger--or even her grief. But as her story unfolds, the hardworking defense analyst learns (the hard way) to take risks and make mistakes, and finally, to embrace her true calling and a more authentic life. From rebelliously riding away on a lover's Harley to overcoming an embittered divorce to grieving the loss of her beloved father to finally embracing healthy love--Katia's story is raw, honest, vulnerable, and strong. Uncaged proves that we can change, risk, forgive, and grow. We can find genuine meaning and purpose. We can carve out life on our own terms. We can create home and belonging--and even love--no matter where in the world we find ourselves.

Join Brya on an extraordinary spiritual journey that takes shape as she grapples with the passing of her loved ones and gains a deeper understanding of life. When we lose someone close to us, it can be difficult to find the words to express the pain we feel. In this emotional and heartwarming book, Brya offers a unique perspective on the subject of death and the afterlife.Drawing on her personal experiences, Brya explores the idea that death is not an end, but rather a beginning - a transformative experience that offers us a new and fascinating way forward. She believes that the source of life births us anew at the moment of death, and that our departed loved ones are still with us, closer than we might think.Through her powerful and moving words, Brya encourages readers to open their hearts to this experience of loss, and to embrace the possibility of profound communication and realignment with those who have passed. She shows us that by allowing ourselves to feel the pain of loss and by keeping an open mind, we can discover a boundless, limitless love that transcends death.In this beautifully written book, Brya shares her journey of spiritual growth and invites us all to explore the depths of our own hearts in order to find peace and understanding in the face of loss.

An autobiography

From love and marriage to the front line of Russia's invasion, a profoundly personal story of the city of Odesa and the emotional impacts of Putin's ten-year war.

If the past is another country - what happens when we revisit it, one day a year?Carlo Gébler has done just that. Here is the story of Ireland - from the tail end of the Troubles to the Good Friday agreement, to the glory days of the Celtic Tiger to the recession to Brexit and on to the present, where, it appears, everything we thought we could take for granted is no longer a given.Drawing from journals he has kept for over four decades, Gébler stitches together days of his life into something bigger than his own lived experiences - a vivid patchwork history of the island over thirty-five years, capturing those sweeping changes in sharp, funny, slantwise pieces that will prompt readers to reflect on the strange process of how we got here.This intelligent and affectionate compilation, written in Gébler's sparkling prose, is a joy. Whether read from beginning to end or dipped into, it will appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in the astonishing evolution of our island.

This book is designed to supercharge your leadership skills by triangulating winning leadership strategies from the U.S. Navy SEALs, professional sports, and executive business.There is an undeniable demand for great leaders today. Individuals who excel as leaders are able to attract exceptional people to an organization and then foster a sense of connectedness within the team and to the company. The result is a more resilient organization in a fast-evolving world, a team that continuously strives for improvement, experiences lower turnover of valued personnel, and outperforms its competition.Yet cultivating the next generation of exceptional leaders is an unmet challenge for most organizations. While they may recognize the need for developing the next leaders of their organizations, the training provided to those driven individuals is largely ineffective--or lacking altogether.In Bullets, Basketballs & Boardrooms: Triangulating the Best Leadership Practices from Three Elite Disciplines, authors Dave Hubinger, Andrew Pence, and Jim Brogan share practical insights developed throughout their collective ninety years of experience in their individual professions--military special operations, professional sports, and executive business. These insights facilitate a leader's better understanding of themselves and their ability to navigate the complex landscape of their role. That begins by having an intimate understanding of the values that drive an individual to excellence. With that deep knowledge of oneself, combined with an unconventional array of tools to effectively connect with their teams, leaders can create an organization that excels now and into the future.Each chapter begins with three distinct "leadership truths" that the authors have found to be universally applicable to leaders and teams in each of their disciplines. The chapters then contain subsections of insights and tips from each author individually. Finally, chapters conclude with action items that challenge the reader to begin transformative measures to elevate and hone their leadership habits and abilities, personally and professionally. Chapter content also addresses insights for the reader to elevate the efficacy and performance of their teams and, ultimately, their organizations. The book concludes with the authors' daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly "make it real" actions to execute for personal growth, greater leadership effectiveness, more connected relationships, and sustainable change.

A moving and life-affirming memoir about survival and the power of love to heal, from internationally renowned writer Salman Rushdie'A story of hatred defeated by love' Guardian'Absolutely stunning...the ugliest thing turned into the most beautiful' Nigella Lawson'Part thriller, part love story' The Times'A masterpiece... full of Rushdie's wit, his wisdom, his stoicism, his optimism' The TelegraphOn the morning of 12 August 2022, Salman Rushdie was standing onstage at the Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York, preparing to give a lecture on the importance of keeping writers safe from harm, when a man in black - black clothes, black mask - rushed down the aisle towards him, wielding a knife. His first thought: So it's you. Here you are.What followed was a horrific act of violence that shook the world. Now, for the first time, Rushdie relives the traumatic events of that day and its aftermath, as well as his journey towards physical recovery and the healing that was made possible by the love and support of his wife, Eliza, his family, his army of doctors and physical therapists, and his community of readers worldwide.Knife is Rushdie writing with urgency, gravity, and unflinching honesty. It is also a deeply moving reminder of literature's capacity to make sense of the unthinkable.This an intimate and life-affirming meditation on life, loss, love, art - and finding the strength to stand up again.

Following the sudden death of her brother, a former chorister and a celebrated cabaret star, the author embarks on an extraordinary journey, geographical, spiritual and musical in her wish to understand the mystery of her brother's soul. From the Norfolk coast to the Baltic Sea, she follows the tides of ideas and music behind a pilgrim map that her brother had left for her and finds it is a route to peace and joy.

"My brother Mark and I wake in the night to the sound of gunfire... The open window, with its mosquito-netting casement, allows us to hear male voices speaking outside, hushed and urgent. Then another volley of shots and bullets spray the side of the house. There is a soft thud against the wall above the bed on the opposite side of the room, where a few minutes earlier my brother had been sleeping. At the same time, a loud metallic twang outside is followed by the frightened bray of a donkey. Our donkey!" Whether caught in a war zone in Lebanon, living in a castle in Hong Kong, or coping with extreme heat in a remote Arabian outpost, such experiences were normality for Philippa and her brother. Thought-provoking, humorous and poignant, Heavy Luggage is the extraordinary story of their adventure-filled childhood in the 1950s and 60s as they and their parents travelled on troop ships with the British Army to some of the remotest places on the globe. Offering a glimpse into a bygone era towards the end of British Colonialism, when military families followed the Drum to wherever they were posted, Philippa and Mark take us on a personal voyage, exploring their unconventional upbringing. Their parents' and grandparents' similarly remarkable life stories are also woven into this unique memoir that examines a family legacy shaped by history.

One of society's main problems today is a lack of self-love; this is evident in the way most people live their lives - sadly, I was also part of the statistic. The fact that I was not living life to the full bothered me in many ways. I was not running my own race; I constantly compared myself to others; I had not accepted myself for who I was, and I had not taken full responsibility for my life. I was merely alive and confused. Although everything on the outside looked good, I felt miserable. I learned the hard way that what goes on inside us is more important than what people can see. A lack of self-love impacted most areas of my life negatively - I knew something needed to change. Once I had surrendered my life to God, He helped me see my own value. I started May to May - My Journey to Self-love with God to move my life in the right direction. After discovering the 20 components that lead to self-love, my life has never been the same. I could finally accept myself just as I was. I am proud to say there is no other race I would rather run than my own. I needed to love myself first, so I could truly live.

Join us on a true story of a seven-year cruise from Norwich to Africa aboard a 25-year-old motor cruiser. The decision to sacrifice a comfortable middle-aged life for an impractical and seemingly impossible dream led to many ups and downs, much humour, some drama, and even tragedy. This isn't a tale of heroics or ocean crossings, but rather the story of two ordinary people who find themselves in a variety of unexpected situations, striving to cope with whatever life throws at them. The book traces their 1,000-mile journey through the French waterways from Dunkerque to Séte on the Mediterranean. The serene beauty of the rivers and canals was breathtaking, culminating in a winter spent with a small, quirky international boating community in Provence, where they participated in some unexpected activities. The following spring brought their first taste of the Mediterranean Sea. Wild and unpredictable, it was far from the flat calm pond they had imagined. They encountered rough seas, thick fog, pirates, tsunamis, Spanish paratroopers, and even the French Foreign Legion. A near-death experience and abandoning ships in a marina were certainly not part of their plan. However, the variety of people they met, the places they visited, and the incredible sights of large pods of dolphins, whales, turtles, and a two-ton sunfish made it all worthwhile. The whole experience gave them the best and worst times of their lives.

Picture a social misfit who has stumbled through life, making every conceivable mistake along the way. Despite his best efforts to find stability and understanding in a world that seemed to elude him, he remained stubborn and uncompromising, clinging to a deep-seated attitude of non-conformity. His headspace had no room for compromise, and as a result, he had never experienced a meaningful relationship of any kind. But unbeknownst to him, there were people working on him - not professionals, religious figures, or members of a sect - but ordinary individuals with caring hearts who must have taken pity on him. They never gave up on him, even when he gave them no reason to continue. These compassionate souls never sought gratitude or anything in return, and the dropout never offered it. Yet, he kept returning to them, knowing deep down that they were his only chance at redemption. He understood that they were always a few steps ahead, and he was constantly playing catch-up. Just when he thought he had nearly caught up, they would present him with a new challenge, leaving him frustrated at times. But it was a game he grew to love, and sometimes, when he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, he found himself smiling - a rare occurrence in his life. He knew that these people were catalysts for the necessary changes within him, and he embraced the journey, learning about love and the warm feeling it ignited in his chest.

When you are raised to believe that the person you are is unacceptable, you hide. And you stay hidden. If you are X-Men and Dance Academy star Tim Pocock, you become an expert at hiding - until you can't anymore. Tim Pocock was a born performer. At ten, he took to the stage as a professional opera singer. At twenty-two, he launched his acting career in the blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine and went on to star in the beloved series Dance Academy.But Tim's biggest role was one he never auditioned for - the role he played at home as a devout, straight son. Raised in a deeply conservative Catholic family and attending a school with links to Opus Dei, Tim knew that he would never be accepted for who he was. Being gay was out of the question. Tim was encouraged to become a priest and experienced gay conversion therapy to have his sexuality hypnotised out of him.This captivating memoir reveals shocking details of Tim's strict religious upbringing and the institutional harms he experienced. After his bid for freedom, Tim traversed the glitzy landscape of Los Angeles, navigated the pressures of the acting industry, and made chaotic forays into the gay dating scene - all while carrying immense trauma.With unflinching honesty, Tim reveals his journey toward healing, discovery and self-acceptance. In doing so, he offers hope for anyone who is still in hiding from the person they know they are and shows how we can set ourselves free.

The morning after Courtney Gustafson and moved with her partner into an old house in the Poets Square neighbourhood of Tucson, Arizona, she noticed hundreds of tiny pawprints all over her driveway. They were the first evidence of a colony of feral cats who would, in time, become part of her family, expand her world spectacularly, and help pierce a personal darkness she'd wrestled with for much of her life.Beebs was the first cat to cross the threshold of their home, allowing himself to be petted in the kitchen. And then came so many others. There was Monkey, the hissing, dark-blotched calico, and Reverse Monkey, her timid, white-blotched opposite. There was Bubbles, enormous and sweet but prone to biting, who rescued Gustafson from loneliness, and serene, regal Dr Big Butt, who taught her all about grief. There were Sad Boy and Lola, the inseparable pair who made their way across the internet and into strangers' wedding vows. And there was Goldie, tiny, skinny, but completely unafraid: the King of Poets Square.Poets Square is a love letter to community, caretaking and kindness in the face of a broken system. Through the brutal, tender stories of the many cats she has saved (and those she couldn't), Gustafson navigates poverty, mental health, misogyny, and the search for stability. Above all, she explores the ways her encounters with feral cats have taught her what it might mean to be a good person, even while the world burns.

Discover a fresh perspective on Jane Austen in Jane Austen in Thames Valley. This book delves into Austen's lesser-known association with the Thames Valley, a connection that has received minimal attention due to scant evidence. A significant focus of this guide is on the often-underestimated influence of Austen's mother, Cassandra Leigh. It compellingly illustrates how Mrs. Austen's impact profoundly shaped Jane Austen's outlook on life. The Thames Valley, a region frequently overlooked in Austen studies, actually harbours numerous ties to the beloved author, more than initially apparent. This thoroughly researched and meticulously documented book unveils these connections. Accompanying the narrative are three detailed excursions designed to help readers explore and uncover the links between Jane Austen and the Thames Valley.

Paul Johnson delves into the previously unpublished diaries of a Second World War POW, exploring camp life and Lieutenant John Blomfield Dixon's passion for drama.

When Reece arrives at Cathy's door aged 7 years old, he has already passed through the hands of four different carers in four weeks. As the details of his short life emerge, it becomes clear that to help him, Cathy will face her biggest challenge yet. Reece is the last of six siblings to be fostered. Having been in care for four months his aggressive and disruptive behaviour has seen him passed from carer to carer. Although only 7, he has been excluded from school, and bites people so often that his mother calls him 'Sharky'. Cathy wants to find the answers for Reece's distressing behaviour, but he has been sworn to secrecy by his mother, and will not tell them anything. As the social worker prepares for the final hearing, he finds five different files on Reece's family, and is incredulous that he had not been removed from them as a baby. When the darkest of family secrets is revealed to Cathy, Reece's behaviour suddenly starts to make sense, and together they can begin to rebuild his life.

In Soul of an Unwanted Child, David Bailey shares a poignant and powerful journey of survival and self-discovery. Born in rural North Carolina to a teenage mother in a Baptist sharecropper family, Bailey's narrative begins with a life marked by rejection and invisibility. His story unfolds in the tumultuous 1960s and 70s, where he struggles with the emotional and physical scars left by an upbringing filled with neglect and abuse. Despite these challenges, Bailey's journey is one of remarkable resilience and determination.As Bailey navigates through a hostile and uncaring environment, he confronts deep-seated issues of identity, belonging, and self-worth. From the painful realities of a broken family to the harsh discipline of military life, Bailey's path is fraught with obstacles that test his spirit and will. Yet, it is through these very trials that he begins to forge his own identity and find a sense of purpose.Soul of an Unwanted Child is more than a memoir. It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Bailey's story is a vivid reminder that our beginnings do not define us, and that with courage and perseverance, we can overcome the most daunting challenges. This book is a compelling read for anyone who has ever felt overlooked or underestimated, offering hope and inspiration to find light in the darkest of circumstances.